How to Make Toasted Sesame Seeds

Aromatic and healthy, with a delicious nutty flavour, toasted sesame seeds are a vital ingredient for Asian and Japanese cuisine. Learn how to toast sesame seeds and bring texture and a flavour bomb to just about any savory dish! Discover the best way to toast the sesame seeds today!

Toasted Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are healthy and versatile. Toasted sesame seeds are even more delicious and full of flavour. And they’re so easy to toast at home!

I’ll show you an easy way to toast sesame seeds in minutes! Sesame seeds are one of the most important ingredients in Japan. They’ll elevate your dish to the next level without even trying. So master this toasted sesame seeds recipe today and add a flavour bomb to your next recipe!

Andy and I love toasted sesame seeds. Simply sprinkle them on any savory dish, and they’ll come alive. Even plain white rice – just add a bit of sea salt, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds, and I’m happy. That’s exactly what my mother did when I was a kid and didn’t eat much.

I still use sesame seeds as a go to flavour enhancement to any number of savory dishes – from salad to rice to tofu. Andy reaches for toasted sesame seeds even more than me!

Toasting sesame seeds is fun and it fills your kitchen with a beautiful aroma! Bring joy in your life and share it with loved ones. Read on!

What are toasted sesame seeds?

Cook raw sesame seeds in a frying pan, oven or seed toaster to make toasted sesame seeds. You can find black, white or gold sesame seeds in the supermarket, either roasted or raw. If they’re raw you can toast them at home.

The colour of the unroasted white sesame seeds are light cream and mostly white as the image shows above. The colour turns light brow when toasted.

Why do you toast sesame seeds

Toasted sesame seeds can enhance their natural nutty flavour, aroma and crunchiness. You’ll notice the differences instantly. If you purchase raw and unroasted sesame seeds, heat them up on the stove top. You will find how their rich flavour and umami are intensified.

Hulled vs unhulled sesame seeds

Both hulled or unhulled sesame seeds are often available at local shops. Hulled sesame seeds are almost always raw white sesame seeds. The colour is rather translucent, white and shiny.

I prefer unhulled gold sesame seeds. I like roasted kin goma (gold sesame seeds). Gold sesame seeds are nuttier, cruncher and richer in taste than white sesame seeds.

How to Toast Sesame Seeds

Used various dishes in Japanese cuisine, toasted sesame seeds are one of my most regularly used ingredients.

Your only real job in toasting sesame seeds is to not burn them. Don’t worry, I’ll share the best tip from my mother.

How long to toast

It depends on the amount of sesame seeds you use, and (of course) how hot the pan is.

The best approach is to listen to the sounds the sesame seeds make. They’re cooked when they start popping and when they start making popping sound, and turn golden brown. It takes no time at all. Don’t be tempted to multitask, as you need to keep an eye on them.

How to toast sesame seeds in a pan

Toasting white sesame seeds is probably the most common. Either hulled or unhulled can make toasted sesame seeds.

All you need to do is to transfer sesame seeds into a pan and heat them up with a medium low heat. Stir them with a spoon or spatula and shake/agitate the pan occasionally. Turn off the heat if they start making popping sounds and become golden light brown. No need to add any oil on the pan.

That’s it! Homemade toasted sesame seeds are ready!

How to toast hulled sesame seeds in the oven

If you toast a large batch of sesame seeds, using the oven can be handy. It can be more than half cup of sesame seeds.

Preheat the oven for 350 °F (176 °C). Spread the sesame seeds on the baking sheet evenly. No need to add oil. Shake the baking sheet every two minutes, and remove when the colour becomes golden brown.

How to toast raw black sesame seeds in the stove

I love black sesame seeds. Black sesame seeds are hulled, and have rich aroma crunchy texture and great colour.

I recommend toasting black sesame seeds on the stove rather than in the oven. It’s not easy to see whether they are toasted in the oven due to the dark colour.

How to reheat already toasted sesame seeds

Shop bought sesame seeds in Japan are usually roasted. Even if they’re already roasted, we often lightly toast them before serving. This way we can keep the freshness and bring out the aroma.

A seed toaster is super handy. It saves your time. It’s called goma iri or iriki in Japan. This Japanese tool prevents the seeds from popping up and out of the pan when you’re toasting them. If you don’t have a seed toaster, use any fry pan.

The most important thing for toasting sesame seeds is to place a plate next to your frying pan. This is the trick my mother instilled in me! As soon as they’re toasted you remove them from the heat to avoid burning them, as the sesame seeds will keep cooking in a fry pan even after you’ve turned off the heat.

If you have a seed toaster, open the net of the seed toaster and heat to a medium low temperature. Add sesame seeds and close the net. Once the sesame seeds make a popping noise, turn off the heat. Then immediately transfer them into the plate.

That’s it!!

How to Use Toasted Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are one of the most important ingredients in Asian and Japanese cuisine. Your dish becomes more flavourful and rich in aroma by simply sprinkling it with toasted sesame seeds. Here are some ideas for how to eat sesame seeds.

Salads: Vinegary, refreshing and delicious Japanese cucumber salad, sunomono salad, smashed cucumber salad, wakame salad. Or add them to Asian salad dressing.

Ramen: Shoyu ramen, shio ramen, miso ramen, tantanmen, yuzu ramen, dan dan noodles, all ramen recipes are made for vegetarian.

Sushi: I use sesame seeds for roll sushi (maki sushi), inari sushi and chirashi zushi. Kappa maki, oshinko roll and temaki. Or find how how to make sushi rice for the sushi recipes.

Hummus: Simple sprinkle on homemade hummus, roasted beet hummus and mashed beets.

Tofu: Toasted sesame seeds are a must for teriyaki tofu, orange tofu, tofu hot pot.

Stir-fry: Beni shoga, Japanese red pickled ginger, and toasted sesame seeds are a must for vegetable yakisoba.

Edamame: Sesame seeds work very well with edamame. Add them to spicy garlic edamame and edamame hummus.

Eggs: Ramen eggs (ajitsuke tamago) is not only served for ramen. Place them on a bowl, burger or sandwich and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds.

Rice bowls: Sprinkle a teaspoon of sesame seeds and small amount of sea salt on rice in a bowl and top off with any ingredients you enjoy!

FAQs for Toasted Sesame Seeds

How to store

Turn off the heat and transfer toasted sesame seeds onto a plate. Allow them cool down completely. Transfer them into a little container with a lid and use it within a day.

The best way to preserve sesame seeds is with an air-tight container. Make sure they have cooled down completely after toasting. You can save them for six months in the jar.

How long do sesame seeds last

They can last for three months at room temperature or for six months in the fridge. Keep them in an air-tight container or ziploc bag.

Do you need to wash sesame seeds?

No need to wash them. If you find the sesame seeds packages at the general local supermarkets, they are already washed and dried.

Toasted vs. raw sesame seeds

Almost all shop bought white, black and gold sesame seeds are roasted in Japan. These roasted whole-grain sesame seeds are called iri goma. Although they are already roasted, we reheat (toast) and use them to enjoy the freshness and crunchiness just before to serve. Outside of Japan, both roasted and raw are commonly available.

Can you buy toasted sesame seeds?

Yes, you can! Toasted (roasted) sesame seeds are often available at the local shops. But I prefer to toast my own for the aroma and freshness.

More Recipes for Cooking Basics

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• JAPANESE MAYO (HOMEMADE KEWPIE MAYO)
• TERIYAKI SAUCE (AUTHENTIC JAPANESE STYLE)
• BBQ SAUCE (VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN FRIENDLY)